Hythe End 'Gate's Time In Kent Senior Cup

Margate were dumped out of the DFDS Kent Senior Cup in Round One on Tuesday evening as they were beaten 2-1 by Isthmian South-East side Hythe Town.

Manager Reece Prestedge gave first team opportunities to youth stars, George Hunt and Rory Sutcliffe, whilst Academy star Vinnie Bowman was named on the bench as Margate aimed to replicate last season where they won the trophy in May at The Priestfield Stadium.

Returning Phil Roberts looked lively in the opening stages as he spotted the hosts keeper off his line, however his spectacular effort was easily collected in the 3rd minute.

Despite a relatively bright start, Margate did fall behind in the 7th minute as the hosts worked the ball out wide which saw a ball swung into the box and headed home by Johan Caney-Bryan to make it 1-0.

With Mo Cham on the left and Sutcliffe on the right, the ‘Gate had pace on the wings going forward, however were unable to force any major chances.

In the 20th minute it was the two wingers who linked up superbly as Sutcliffe played a delightful ball into the path of Cham who took it down wonderfully, however raced through and slid the chance wide of the post.

Roberts was almost released again by Sutcliffe, however the through ball was just too long for Roberts as Margate continued to push for an equaliser.

The Sutcliffe, Roberts partnership was blossoming and it almost wielded a leveller as another fine cross from Sutcliffe was glanced just inches wide from Roberts.

Four minutes later and the ‘Gate were level as a loose back-pass from a Hythe defender was latched onto by Roberts who calmly slotted the ‘Gate level, nothing less than they deserved.

Despite the leveller, Margate would find themselves behind again just five minutes later as a quick free-kick released Caney-Bryan who fired the hosts back ahead, and Margate had it all to do again.

With not much response in the opening stages of the second half, Prestedge introduce Ben Greenhalgh and Antonis Vasiliou to the stage in place of Sutcliffe and Cham and the reward was almost instant.

Just five minutes after coming on, Vasiliou had a glorious opportunity to level as Roberts swung a delightful ball into the box which was met by Vasiliou who smashed the chance off the top of the crossbar when it looked easier to level.

Roberts looked most likely to get the ‘Gate level as he again forced Phillips into another great save as the ‘Gate’s hopes of progressing seemed to be fading away.

The introduction of Vinnie Bowman with eight minutes to go was the only bright spark as they failed to create any meaningful opportunities as their time in the competition ended in the First Round.

Margate return to action this Saturday as they travel to |Chesham United in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hunt, Johnson, Poku, Hudson, Roberts, Rutherford (Bowman 82’), Salmon, Cham (Greenhalgh 62’), Sutcliffe (Vasiliou 62’), Mazzone

Subs not used: Blackman, Duncanson

Goalscorer

Phil Roberts 36’

Attendance

138

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